Zardari regrets Indian threats

Islamabad, Dec. 21 (ANI): Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed his regrets over statements emanating from India after the Mumbai terror attacks, despite Pakistan's serious efforts to defuse tensions between the nations.

Zardari said that his government had offered complete co-operation in the ongoing investigation, but India had not presented any evidence to support its claims that elements from Pakistan were involved in the attacks. He made these remarks while addressing a meeting of parliamentarians from the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Punjab at the Presidency on Saturday, the Daily Times reported.

The meeting is part of the President's ongoing consultations with lawmakers on the prevailing security and political situation, which mainly focused on the ties between the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Punjab.

Sources close to the paper said that the President briefed the participants of the meeting about his interaction with world leaders and diplomats who visited Pakistan after the Mumbai tragedy.

Zardari told the legislators that the Pakistani government is aware of its international responsibility, but can not compromise on national security and sovereignty.

One of the participants reportedly told Daily Times that he President was optimistic that the situation would normalise soon and India and Pakistan would resume their composite dialogue.

The President also hoped that the PPP and PML-N parties would sort out issues to retain their coalition in Punjab, especially when Pakistan was facing such turbulent times. (ANI)